The Big Picture
Wind River is a murder mystery set on a Native American reservation, shedding light on the crisis of missing Indigenous women.
Lambert and Jane, the main protagonists, collaborate to unravel the truth surrounding the murder and address the intricate problems afflicting the reservation.
While the movie delivers justice for Natalie's demise, it sheds light on the grim actuality of an often disregarded crisis and raises awareness about the insufficient safeguarding of Native American women.
Although he has now established himself as one of the most influential storytellers in contemporary popular culture due to the success of the Yellowstone franchise, Taylor Sheridan was once a humble screenwriter with a handful of innovative ideas on how to redefine the Western genre. Sheridan garnered recognition for his exceptional screenplays for Sicario and Hell or High Water. However, it was his directorial debut Wind River in 2017 that provided him with the opportunity to showcase his talents as a filmmaker. Like many of Sheridan's projects, Wind River skillfully combines current political discourse with a touch of neo-noir mystery, offering both captivating entertainment and thought-provoking themes. While the mystery presented in Wind River is enthralling, Sheridan's underlying intention for the film becomes apparent through the incorporation of real crime statistics towards the end.
What Is ‘Wind River’ About?
Image via The Weinstein Company
Centered around Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation, Wind River tells the story of the murder of a young Indigenous girl named Natalie Hanson (Kelsey Asbille). Found frozen in the expansive wilderness, the case catches the attention of Agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) from the FBI, assigned to identify the person responsible for her death. The Reservation covers a vast area, making it challenging for law enforcement to effectively patrol. Recognizing the difficulty of the task at hand, Jane forms an alliance with local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agent Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner). With a deep understanding of the land and unmatched tracking skills, Cory has spent his entire life living on the reservation. However, Jane soon discovers that his personal connection to the case runs much deeper than she initially thought.
Lambert, a close friend of Martin (played by Gil Birmingham), promises to seek justice for the murder of Martin's daughter, Natalie. As Lambert empathizes with Martin, he also reflects on his own personal tragedy of losing his daughter a few years ago. Lambert hopes that solving Natalie's murder will help him move past the grief he feels for failing his own child. Lambert and Jane are determined in their pursuit, but as they delve deeper into the case, they realize that the issues on the Reservation are more complex than a few unsolved murders. It is a crisis that endangers the lives of numerous Indigenous women whose deaths have not been adequately investigated by the authorities.
During their investigation into Natalie's disappearance, Lambert and Jane stumble upon the decaying body of Natalie's older boyfriend, Matt (played by Jon Bernthal). Although Matt worked as a security guard near a local drilling site and had a significant age difference with Natalie, it seems unlikely that he was responsible for her murder. Nevertheless, Lambert and Jane decide to approach Matt's former employer for additional leads. This leads to a confrontation with Matt's acquaintances, including his unsettling coworker named Pete Mickens (James Jordan). When it becomes clear that Matt's friends are not willing to back down without a fight, Jane and Lambert are forced to defend themselves with lethal force.
Who Really Killed Natalie?
Image via The Weinstein Company
The confrontation among Lambert, Jane, and Matt's colleagues serves as the film's climactic action sequence. However, Sheridan employs a flashback to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Natalie's death. After an argument with Matt, Natalie tragically returns to his trailer, attracting the attention of the other drillers, including Pete. Intoxicated and fueled by violence, Pete and the others brutally rape Natalie and fatally beat Matt. Although Natalie manages to escape, she is unable to evade capture for long. She attempts to navigate the frigid wilderness alone, succumbing to freezing temperatures before authorities can locate her.
Lambert, Jane, and the local tribal Chief Ben Shoyo (portrayed by Graham Greene) lead their forces in a firefight against Matt's coworkers, led by his boss Curtis (played by Hugh Dillon). This battle does not come without consequences, as Shoyo and several of his men are killed. Nevertheless, Lambert executes a last-minute rescue, saving Jane by eliminating Curtis' remaining henchmen ruthlessly. Pete remains the sole survivor among the group, displaying his cowardice by attempting to escape into the wilderness. Seizing an opportunity, Lambert pursues Pete with the intent of delivering his own brand of justice in the frontier.
The Story of 'Wind River' Is Not Based on a True Story But It Is Inspired by Real Tragedy
Lambert trails Pete into the untamed wilderness, compelling him to endure the same harsh conditions that Natalie endured. Stranded in the bitter cold, Pete is left with scanty attire to shield himself. Lambert highlights that both Natalie and his own daughter met their demise facing similar hardships, insinuating that Pete lacks the same indomitable spirit they possessed. Although Pete endeavors to negotiate for his survival, Lambert dismisses his plea. While Lambert finds solace in solving Natalie's untimely death, it fails to alleviate the somber reality. The film concludes with a haunting final scene depicting Lambert and Martin grieving together. Though both men may have attained justice in the end, the void left by the loss of their beloved children will persist for the remainder of their lives.
The image provided by Lionsgate accompanies Sheridan's use of this moment to subtly allude to some of the broader themes explored in the film. While Wind River tells an original story, it draws inspiration from a real crisis that has been largely overlooked. A title card reveals the startling fact that missing Native American women are not documented in official records, making it the only demographic with such disregard. The true extent of this crisis remains unknown, but it has reached dangerous levels on reservations like the one depicted in Wyoming, which receive inadequate protection from both local law enforcement and federal defense officers.
Wind River stands as one of Sheridan's more somber works, yet it holds immense significance. This film not only presents a captivating mystery, but also showcases Sheridan's ability to utilize his narrative skills to shed light on an ongoing crisis that predominantly impacts a specific group of individuals. Though it may be challenging to watch at certain moments, Wind River is undeniably a must-see for both Sheridan enthusiasts and those critical of his work.
